In the middle of an organ concert, audience members are invited up to the console to ask questions, pull stops, and experiment with sound.

Cueing the organist in the balcony after the candle lighting portion of worship. This service included a performance of Daniel Pinkham's "Christmas Cantata."

Conducting one of a number of pieces for a joint choir concert with our Episcopal neighbors.

A picture together following a productive rehearsal for an upcoming Advent service.

After a long Advent 4 service, the choir rests to enjoy a postlude for organ and brass.

About.

The composer writes:

Fantasia for Organ could be described as the meandering of meditative, slightly bitter-sweet thoughts somewhere high up among the arches of a church. With no specific vision or aim they float unseen, gently touching some already distant memories or silent dreams. They are as delicate as the touch of an unborn child's first movement. Quite simply a fantasy.

Originating from the 16th century, two forms of courantes co-existed with one another. The Italian "Corrente" used fast triple meter, 3/4 and 3/6, while the French "Courante" tended to be much slower and alternated between 3/2 and 6/4 meters. Despite these differences and regardless of the form, composers of the time used the different spellings interchangeably, hence the combined spelling above. This short dance for trumpet and organ explores the commonalities between these two variations of the same dance and presents them in a contemporary setting. Learn more about this piece on /this page/

The talented handbell ringer here, Lonnie Dorgan, approached me after hearing some of my hymn reharmonizations wondering if he and I could collaborate on presenting a suite of music together for worship during the beginning of the COVID pandemic.

The first movement of this suite (tambour) works perfectly as an interesting nugget for a prelude or postlude. The felt-wrapped board used in this piece comes from the directions for David N. Johnson’s setting of Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus (to the JEFFERSON hymn tune).

form reform was composed for the 500th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. it utilizes the first stanza of Martin Luther's hymn EIN FESTE BURG (A Mighty Fortress), presenting it with heavily altered and syncopated rhythm. this piece also makes use of large cluster chords, constructing and deconstructing them throughout. Learn more about this piece by visiting /this page/

One of the featured pieces in this collection of performances from Redeemer Lutheran’s handbell group is an arrangement I made of Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus in 2022.

This page focuses on the work I’ve done as a church musician. If you’re hoping to find a more generic “About” page with a biography and links to interviews, click here.

I have been lucky to find success in different facets of he music world: as an educator, a performer, a composer, and a church musician. This last entry has not-so-surprisingly made use of all my other experiences and skills. Educating an assembly on the many methods of how to sing a psalm pushed me to compose my own psalm settings. Working with a resident brass quintet for Reformation, Christmas, and Easter pushed me to write voluntaries and hymn concertato settings that make use of these strengths. Working with children in a choir setting, middle-school age instrumentalists, or in a music education setting has rejuvenated my appreciation for musical qualities and knowledge I and others have taken for granted.

Below, you’ll find a collection of videos and links that share some of my work in the realm of church music.

Liturgical Music

You can find links to my music on my /works/ page, but some liturgy-specific work is linked below:

Perorations (2024- )
a collection of hymn reharmonizations

Psalter (2022- )
cantor, assembly, organ, opt. SATB choir, C-instrument, and handbells

Advent Mass (2023)
SATB chorus, assembly, organ, brass quintet

Centennial Mass (2021-2022)
SATB chorus, assembly, organ, brass quintet
written for Redeemer Lutheran Church (Hinsdale, IL) for the occasion of the 100th Anniversary.

circle•dances (2016-
short pieces for liturgical or concert use based on Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany tunes.

Hymn Concertato:
SATB chorus, assembly, organ, brass quintet, timpani
Thine Is the Glory (Judas Maccabeus)
A Mighty Fortress (Ein Feste Burg)
Lift High the Cross (Crucifer)
Prepare the Royal Highway (Bereden Väg För Herran)
People Look East (Besançon)
Children of the Heavenly Father (Tryggare Kan Ingen Vara) *without timpani
Beautiful Savior (Schönster Herr Jesu) *without timpani